Final by Carla Dial

Needs Analysis

carladcdial — 2025-07-17 05:28:57 UTC

Category

Key Details

Age Range

24–58 years

Gender

18 women, 12 men

Cultural Diversity

40% White, 30% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% Black, 10% Asian/Pacific Islander

Languages

80% English, 15% Spanish, 5% Mandarin

Education Levels

10% High School, 40% Some College, 40% Bachelor’s, 10% Graduate Degree

Work Background

40% Healthcare, 20% Education, 15% Business, 10% Trades/IT, 5% Government

Learning Preferences

45% Visual, 35% Hands-on, 20% Reading/Writing

Tech Comfort

30% High, 40% Moderate, 30% Limited

Challenges

Time (25%), Disabilities (15%), Tech Literacy (10%), Anxiety (20%), etc.

Career Goals

40% Advancement, 30% Career Change, 20% Personal Growth

Engagement & Belonging: First week activities

carladcdial — 2025-07-17 05:31:35 UTC

The following activities promote engagement, community-building, and active participation tailored to adult learners’ diverse needs. These are ideal for the first few class sessions.

Activity Links

1. Lifeline Activity Mapping Educational Journeys

Helps learners visualize their paths and reflect on key moments in their lives.

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/lifeline-learning-activity/

2. Gallery Walk: Goal Setting & Career Boards

Students post their short and long term goals around the room and walk around reading/responding.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/gallery-walk-strategies

3. Learning Styles Mixer Multiple Intelligence Stations

Active learning stations based on visual, kinesthetic, and interpersonal strengths.

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-george-lucas

4. Speed Friending Building Classroom Community

A fast-paced get to know you activity promoting peer support and shared experiences.

https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/classroom-conversations/speed-friending

Belonging & Adult Learning

carladcdial — 2025-07-17 05:33:01 UTC

Belonging is essential for adult learners, as it impacts engagement, motivation, and persistence. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a sense of connection must be met before learners can achieve self-actualization in their academic goals. Many of my students are juggling work, family, and education, so establishing a classroom culture that feels safe, inclusive, and welcoming is critical.

Transformative learning theory also emphasizes the role of reflection and perspective taking, which is why early activities like the Lifeline and Gallery Walk encourage students to connect their past experiences with their future goals. These strategies not only build self awareness but also support community building among learners from diverse backgrounds.

Enhancing Resources:

-Creating a Sense of Belonging in the Classroom” – Edutopia

-Podcast: “Why Belonging Matters in Adult Education” – The Cult of Pedagogy

-Article: “Adult Learning Theory: Applications to Practice” – Malcolm Knowles’ Andragogy

carladcdial — 2025-07-17 05:35:49 UTC

1. Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2015). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development(8th ed.). Routledge.

2. Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.

3. Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 1997(74), 5–12.

4. Edutopia. (2021). Creating a sense of belonging in the classroom. https://www.edutopia.org/article/creating-sense-belonging-classroom